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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cops uncover illegal drugs lab in Occidental Mindoro remote island

Cops uncover illegal drugs lab in Occidental Mindoro remote island

Published May 28, 2026 04:45 pm
Anti-narcotics agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) uncovered a clandestine drug laboratory following a raid in a remote island village in Looc, Occidental Mindoro.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said the operation stemmed from the information provided by a suspect previously arrested in Batangas who allegedly disclosed the existence of a drug laboratory in the island community.
“The discovery of these chemical substances in Occidental Mindoro highlights a dangerous trend where drug syndicates exploit isolated island communities to evade detection, but the PNP is adapting quickly,” said Nartatez, as he lauded the operating unit from the PNP’s Drug Enforcement Group.
“This is clear proof of the dedication and hard work of our personnel in the campaign against illegal drugs. No area is too far or too remote in our effort to run after those who threaten peace and order through illegal activities,” he added.
Police conducted the operation at around 3 p.m. on May 26 in Golo Island, Sitio Kaybunga, Barangay Bulacan following intelligence information regarding a possible clandestine laboratory operating in the area.
Looc is part of the Lubang Island group located off the northwestern coast of Occidental Mindoro. Several villages in the area are accessible only by boat and have limited communication infrastructure, making intelligence operations more difficult.
Initial reports from the ground showed that several chemicals allegedly connected to the manufacture of illegal drugs were recovered during the raid.
Authorities have yet to identify the substances pending forensic examination as investigators validate the identities of people involved and determine the scale of the operation.
Nartatez said he already ordered a thorough investigation to identify and arrest the brains behind the facility.
Police said the recovered chemical substances could point to possible violations of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the manufacture of dangerous drugs and operation of clandestine laboratories.
“To the syndicates attempting to hide in these remote areas: you cannot run from our unified inter-agency operations, and we will dismantle your networks from the bottom all the way to the very brains of your organization,” Nartatez said.

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